Finnish customs announced today that they had seized goods at the border with Russia that could boost Moscow’s “industrial and military capabilities” along with other goods subject to international sanctions.
The seizures come as Finland considers possible visa restrictions for Russians following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and subsequent Western sanctions.
More than 2,500 checks were carried out between July 22 and 27 and nearly a hundred such cases were detected, the customs authority said. About 20 of those cases are “under preliminary examination,” the customs authority said in a statement.
The checks made it possible to identify various luxury goods subject to European sanctions, as well as goods that may have military use, “such as tools used in maritime transport,” the authority said.
“There were also drones as well as objects that we cannot comment on at the moment,” customs director Miko Grenberg told AFP.
The growing number of Russian tourists to Finland has sparked resentment in the Scandinavian country, with many saying tourism should be curtailed because of the war in Ukraine.
Source: AMPE
The number of Russian tourists visiting Finland has been steadily increasing since Russia lifted its Covid-related travel restrictions on July 15.
More than 185,000 border crossings were recorded in July, compared to 125,000 in June, figures that are still below pre-Covid levels.
Last week, Finland’s opposition conservative party proposed ending tourist visas for Russian nationals.
President Sauli Niinisto plans to raise the issue with the government tomorrow, Thursday, as the proposal appears to have broad support in Parliament.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said last week that Russia would “react very negatively” if visa restrictions were imposed.
Source: AMPE
Source: Capital
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